Attachment for jack

ABSTRACT

An attachment for use with a conventional jack which jack includes a base portion and a ram portion carried therein and adapted to move relative to the base portion along the longitudinal axis thereof. The jack attachment includes a socket member having a cavity formed therein for receiving the ram portion of the jack. An elongated member having opposite end portions is fixedly secured at one end portion to the socket member and extends therefrom in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack and includes a transverse notch formed in the opposite end thereof. A second elongated member having opposite end portions includes a cavity intersecting one end portion thereof sized and shaped to receive the first elongated member therein and includes a flat plate formed on the opposite end portion thereof lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack. An L-shaped edge portion is formed along one edge of the flat plate. In another form, the present invention includes a socket member for receiving the ram portion of the jack and further includes a second socket member formed thereon extending away from the jack. The second socket member has a cavity formed therein sized and shaped to receive one end portion of a first elongated member with the opposite end portion of the first elongated member having a transverse notch formed therein. An alternate second elongated member has a substantially flat plate formed on the opposite end thereof lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack and having an L-shaped edge portion formed along one edge thereof.

United States Patent [1 1 Gibson Aug. 20, 1974 1 ATTACHMENT FOR JACK [76] Inventor: Eslie B. Gibson, 5304 N.W. 45th St.,

Oklahoma City, Okla. 73122 22 Filed: Aug. 28, 1972 21 Appl, No.: 284,241

[52] US. Cl. 254/133 [51] Int. Cl 1366f 11/00 [58] Field of Search 254/133, 134, 2 B

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,215,146 9/1940 Compano 254/133 R 2,536,550 l/l95l Hughes 254/133 R 2,618,464 11/1952 Sintz 254/134 2,974,490 3/1961 Hott 254/2 B 3,245,659 4/1966 Nolden 254/134 3,302,927 2/1967 Gray .254/134 3,317,188 5/1967 Linscott 254/133 R Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant ExaminerRobert C. Watson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin, Dougherty & Codding [5 7] ABSTRACT An attachment for use with a conventional jack which jack includes a base portion and a ram portion carried therein and adapted to move relative to the base portion along the longitudinal axis thereof. The jack attachment includes a socket member having a cavity formed therein for receiving the ram portion of the jack. An elongated member having opposite end portions is fixedly secured at one end portion to the socket member and extends therefrom in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack and includes a transverse notch formed in the opposite end thereof A second elongated member having opposite end portions includes a cavity intersecting one end portion thereof sized and shaped to receive the first elongated member therein and includes a flat plate formed on the opposite end portion thereof lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack. An L-shaped edge portion is formed along one edge of the flat plate. In another form, the present invention includes a socket member for receiving the ram portion of the jack and further includes a second socket member formed thereon extending away from the jack. The second socket member has a cavity formed therein sized and shaped to receive one end portion of a first elongated member with the opposite end portion of the first elongated member having a transverse notch formed therein. An alternate second elongated member has a substantially fiat plate formed on the opposite end thereof lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack and having an L-shaped edge portion formed along one edge thereof.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to improvements in lifting devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to improvements in attachments for use with conventional lifting jacks.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the automobile repair industry it has become commonplace to utilize power jacks of the hydraulic or pneumatic type to lift the front ends of automobiles for servicing. More particularly, such jacks have found wide use in servicing and aligning the front suspension units and steering linkages of automobiles.

The jacks currently available to the automobile service industry generally comprise a base portion having a ram portion slidably disposed therein for movement along a longitudinal axis in response to the application of outside force. The free end of the ram portion is generally cylindrically shaped with the head thereof being planar and lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack.

It has been found that the conventional shape of the end portion of the ram portion of the jack is generally unsuitable for engaging the lower portion of an automobile since the planar surface area readily slips from engagement with the automobile thereby providing a source for serious injury to an automobile Serviceman working in the area of such a jack. It has also been found that the conventional jacks are not entirely satisfactory for raising an automobile having coil springs located above the upper A-frame or control arm of the suspension unit for the front wheel. It is necessary on such automobiles to unload the front end suspension parts, such as the upper ball joint or upper control arm, so that such parts can be checked for excessive wear. Again, the end portion of the ram portion of a conventional jack has proved unsuitable for such applications due to the above-noted potential for injury to the serviceman and due to the limited extension capabilities of the conventional jacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a jack attachment for use with a conventional jack of the type which includes a base portion and a ram portion adapted to move relative to the base portion along a longitudinal axis. The jack attachment includes first socket means sized and shaped for slidably receiving the end of the ram portion therein into abutting relation, and a first extension fixedly secured at one end thereof to said first socket means and extending therefrom in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack. A second extension is disposed in substantial axial alignment with the first extension, with the first end portion thereof in slidable relation with the first exten' sion and in abutting relation with the first socket means. Means for engaging the object to be moved by the jack is formed on the opposite end portion of said second extension.

An object of the present invention is to improve the safety characteristics of a conventional lifting jack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a conventional jack which will increase the capability and flexibility thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a versatile attachment for a conventional jack which is economical to construct and simple to use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be evident from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in particular, the jack attachment of the present invention is generally designated by the reference character 10. The jack attachment 10 generally comprises a lower element 12 and an upper element 14.

The lower element 12 includes a generally cylindrically shaped socket member 16 having a lower end face 18 and an upper end face 20. A cavity 22 is formed in the socket member 16 and intersects the lower end face 18 thereof. The cavity 22 is sized and shaped to slidingly receive the upper end 24 of the ram portion 26 of a conventional lifting jack 28. The cavity 22 preferably includes a cylindrically shaped inner periphery 30 disposed in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of, the lifting jack 28, and intersects a radial end wall 32 against which the upper end 24 of the ram portion 26 abuts.

An elongated extension member 34, having a rectangular cross-section, is fixedly secured at its lower end 36 to the upper end face 20 of the socket member 16. A transverse notch 38 is formed in the upper end 40 of the extension member 34 with the notch 38 being substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack.

The upper element 14 includes an elongated extension member 42 having a lower end face 44 and an upper end face 46 with a passageway 48 extending therethrough and intersecting the upper and lower faces 46 and 44. The passageway 48 is generally rectangular in cross-section and is sized to slidingly receive the extension member 34 therein as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A substantially flat plate 50 is fixedly secured to the upper end face 46 of the extension member 42 annd lies in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack 28. An L-shaped edge portion 52 is formed along one edge of the flat plate 50.

' The jack attachment 10 is preferably constructed of steel and the various elements thereof may be suitably secured to one another by means of welding. As will be noted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the extension members 34 and 42 are of approximately the same length. It should be noted, however, that the lengths of the extension members 34 and 42 may be substantially different for certain applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be readily apparent that when the extension member 34 is longer than the extension member 42, the upper end face 40 of the extension member 34 will abut the lower surface 54'of the plate 50 when the upper and lower elements 14 and 12 are assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Conversely, when the extension member 42 is longer than the extension member 34, the lower end face 44 of the extension member 42 will abut the upper end face 20 of the socket member 16 when the elements 12 and 14 are assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The jack attachment provides the user with twofold flexibility when used in conjunction with the conventional lifting jack 28. The first application of the jack attachment 10 arises when the operator desires to engage a portion of an automobile, such as one of the suspension elements, which portion does not expose a flat surface to the jack 28. The second application arises when the operator desires to engage a relatively flat frame element of an automobile.

To utilize the jack attachment 10 in the first application, the operator places the lower element 12 on the upper end portion 24 of the ram portion 26 of a conventional lifting jack 28 with the upper end portion 24 received in the cavity 22 of the lower element 12. The operator then places the jack 28 in proper position so that the suspension element or the like of the automobile being lifted will be engaged by the notch 38 formed in the extension member 34. When the jack 28 is in proper position the operator then causes the ram portion 26 to be extended thereby engaging the suspension member of the automobile with the notch 38. The notch 38 securely engages the suspension element thereby preventing the accidental slippage of the automobile from engagement with the jack 28.

In the second application the operator places the lower element 12 on the upper end portion 24 of the ram portion 26 of the lifting jack 28 as previously described. The operator then places the upper element 14 on the lower element 12 by slidably receiving the extension number 34 within the passageway 48 of the upper element 14. When the upper element 14 is securely engaged on the lower element 12, the jack 28 is placed in position wherein the flat plate 50 can abuttingly engage a mating fiat surface on the frame of the automobile to be lifted. The L-shaped edge portion 52 provides a suitable stop for engaging the side of the frame member being engaged to prevent any possible slippage of the jack 28 when the automobile is lifted.

When the jack 28 is in the proper position, the operator may then cause the ram portion 26 to be extended thereby lifting the automobile.

While the explanation of the operation of the preferred embodiment is directed toward the lifting of an automobile, it will be readily apparent that the jack attachment 10 is suitable for many other lifting applications where the object to be lifted may be suitably engaged by either a notch or a flat plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 4 AND 5 FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a slightly modified jack attachment generally designated by the reference character 10a. Many of the elements in the jack attachment 10a are identical to those previously described for the jack attachment 10 and will, therefore, be assigned identical reference characters.

The jack attachment 10a comprises slightly modified lower and upper elements 12a and 14a. The lower element 12a includes the previously described socket member 16 and a slightly modified elongated extension member 34a fixedly secured to the upper end face 20 of the socket member 16 at the lower end 36a thereof. The extension member 34a also includes a transverse notch 38a formed in the upper end 400 thereof. The extension member 34a is circular in cross-section and has a cylindrical outer periphery which is in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the conventional lifting jack 28.

Slightly modified upper element 14a includes a slightly modified elongated extension member 42a having a lower end face 44a and an upper end face 46a with a passageway 48a, having a cylindrically shaped inner periphery extending therethrough and intersecting the upper and lower end faces 46a and 44a thereof. A substantially flat plate 50 having an L-shaped edge portion 52 formed along one edge thereof is fixedly secured to the upper end face 46a of the extension member 42a. The flat plate 50 lies in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the lifting jack 28. The passageway 48a has a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the extension member 34a for slidably receiving the extension member 34a therein.

The remarks set forth above relating to the relative lengths of the extension members 34 and 42 are equally applicable to the extension members 34a and 42a. The jack attachment 10a may be suitably constructed of steel elements suitably secured together such as by welding as similarly noted above for the jack attachment 10.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 4 AND 5 Operation of the jack attachment 10a is identical to that previously described for the jack attachment 10 and, therefore, will not be described in detail again.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 6

The jack attachment illustrated in FIG. 6 is generally designated by the reference character 60. The jack attachment generally comprises a lower element 62 and an upper element 64.

The lower element 62 includes a socket member 16, identical to that previously described for the jack attachment 10, and an extension member 66 having a lower end face 68 and an upper end face 70 with a passageway 72 extending therethrough and intersecting the end faces 68 and 70. The lower end face 68 of the extension 66 is fixedly secured to the upper end face 20 of the socket member 16 and the passageway 72 extends upwardly from the socket member 16 in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack. The extension 66 is preferably rectangular in cross-section as is the passageway 72 formed therein.

The upper element 64 includes an elongated extension member 74 having a lower end portion 76 and an upper end portion 78. The extension member 74 is cross-section of the extension member 74 are described as being preferably rectangular, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other cross-sectional configurations of these elements, e.g., circular, may be utilized to practice the present invention as long as the sliding relationship between the extension member 74 and the passageway 72 is retained.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 7

The jack attachment illustrated in FIG. 7 differs slightly from the jack attachment illustrated in FIG. 6 and will, therefore, be designated by the reference character 60a. The jack attachment 60a includes the previously described lower element 62 and a slightly modified upper element 64a.

The upper element 64a includes an elongated extension member 74a having a lower end portion 76a and a slightly modified upper end portion 78a. A substantially flat plate 50 is fixedly secured to the upper end portion 78a of the extension member 74a and lies in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack. An L-shaped edge portion 52 is formed along one edge of the flat plate 50.

As noted above for the attachment 60, the crosssection of the extension member 74a and the passageway 72 in the lower element 62 may be other than the rectangular cross-section as long as the sliding relationship between the extension member 74a and the passageway 72 remains intact.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF FIGS. 6 AND 7 To utilize either the jack attachment 60 or 600, the operator places the lower element 62 on the upper end portion of the ram portion of a conventional lifting jack in a manner similar to that described above for the operation of the jack attachment 10. The operator then places either the extension member 74 or the extension member 74a in the passageway 72 of the lower element 62 so that the lower end portion 76 or 76a, respectively, abuts the upper end face of the socket member 16.

In the case of the jack attachment 60, the operator places the jack in proper position such that the notch 80 will engage a suitable suspension member or the like of the automobile or other object to be lifted and then causes the jack to be extended thereby lifting the automobile or other object. In the case of the jack attachment 60a, the operator places the jack in position such that the flat plate 50 will properly engage a suitable flat portion of the frame of the automobile or other object and then cause the jack to be extended thereby lifting the vehicle or other object.

It is believed apparent that the various embodiments of the present invention obtain the objectives set forth 6 ing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A jack attachment for use with a conventionaljack of the type which includes a base portion and a ram portion, having an upper end, adapted to move relative to the base portion along a longitudinal axis comprismg:

socket means sized and shaped for longitudinally slidably receiving the end of the ram portion therein into abutting relation;

a first extension fixedly secured at one end thereof to said socket means and extending therefrom in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack, said first extension comprising:

a socket formed in the opposite end portion thereof;

an elongated member having a first end portion slidably received in said socket and abutting said socket means and having the opposite end portion thereof extending from said socket means in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack; and

means for engaging the object to be moved formed on the opposite end portion of said elongated member, said means comprising a transverse notch formed in the opposite end portion of said elongated member, said notch being substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack.

2. A jack attachment for use with a conventional jack of the type which includes a base portion and a ram portion, having an upper end, adapted to move relative to the base portion along a longitudinal axis comprising:

socket means sized and shaped for longitudinally slidably receiving the end of the ram portion therein into abutting relation;

a first extension fixedly secured at one end thereof to said socket means and extending therefrom in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack, said first extension further comprising:

a socket formed in the opposite end portion thereof;

an elongated member having a first end portion slidably received in said socket and abutting said socket means and having the opposite end portion thereof extending from said socket means in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack; and

means for engaging the object to be moved formed on the opposite end portion of said elongated member, said means further comprising a substantially fiat plate fixedly secured to the opposite end portion of said elongated member and lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack, said flat plate including an L-shaped edge portion formed along one edge thereof wherein one leg of said edge portion extends outwardly from said plate away from said jack.

3. A jack attachment for use with a conventional jack of the type which includes a base portion and a ram portion, having an upper end, adapted to move relative to the base portion along a longitudinal axis comprismg:

socket means sized and shaped for longitudinally slidably receiving the end of the ram portion therein into abutting relation;

an elongated member having one end portion thereof fixedly secured to said socket means and having the opposite end portion thereof extending therefrom in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack; and

a transverse notch formed in the opposite end portion of said elongated member, said notch being substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack;

a second elongated member, having a first end portion and a second end portion, disposed in substantial axial alignment with said first extension and having a socket formed therein intersecting the first end portion thereof and sized and shaped to slidingly receive said first elongated member therein with said second elongated member being in abutting relation with said socket means; and means for engaging the object to be moved by the jack formed on the second end portion of said second elongated member, said means comprising:

a substantially fiat plate fixedly secured to the second end portion of said second elongated member and lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack; and

an L-shaped edge portion formed along one edge of said substantially flat plate wherein one leg of said edge portion extends outwardly from said plate away from the jack. 

1. A jack attachment for use with a conventional jack of the type which includes a base portion and a ram portion, having an upper end, adapted to move relative to the base portion along a longitudinal axis comprising: socket means sized and shaped for longitudinally slidably receiving the end of the ram portion therein into abutting relation; a first extension fixedly secured at one end thereof to said socket means and extending therefrom in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack, said first extension comprising: a socket formed in the opposite end portion thereof; an elongated member having a first end portion slidably received in said socket and abutting said socket means and having the opposite end portion thereof extending from said socket means in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack; and means for engaging the object to be moved formed on the opposite end portion of said elongated member, said means comprising a transverse notch formed in the opposite end portion of said elongated member, said notch being substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack.
 2. A jack attachment for use with a conventional jack of the type which includes a base portion and a ram portion, having an upper end, adapted to move relative to the base portion aLong a longitudinal axis comprising: socket means sized and shaped for longitudinally slidably receiving the end of the ram portion therein into abutting relation; a first extension fixedly secured at one end thereof to said socket means and extending therefrom in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack, said first extension further comprising: a socket formed in the opposite end portion thereof; an elongated member having a first end portion slidably received in said socket and abutting said socket means and having the opposite end portion thereof extending from said socket means in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack; and means for engaging the object to be moved formed on the opposite end portion of said elongated member, said means further comprising a substantially flat plate fixedly secured to the opposite end portion of said elongated member and lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack, said flat plate including an L-shaped edge portion formed along one edge thereof wherein one leg of said edge portion extends outwardly from said plate away from said jack.
 3. A jack attachment for use with a conventional jack of the type which includes a base portion and a ram portion, having an upper end, adapted to move relative to the base portion along a longitudinal axis comprising: socket means sized and shaped for longitudinally slidably receiving the end of the ram portion therein into abutting relation; an elongated member having one end portion thereof fixedly secured to said socket means and having the opposite end portion thereof extending therefrom in substantial axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack; and a transverse notch formed in the opposite end portion of said elongated member, said notch being substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack; a second elongated member, having a first end portion and a second end portion, disposed in substantial axial alignment with said first extension and having a socket formed therein intersecting the first end portion thereof and sized and shaped to slidingly receive said first elongated member therein with said second elongated member being in abutting relation with said socket means; and means for engaging the object to be moved by the jack formed on the second end portion of said second elongated member, said means comprising: a substantially flat plate fixedly secured to the second end portion of said second elongated member and lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the jack; and an L-shaped edge portion formed along one edge of said substantially flat plate wherein one leg of said edge portion extends outwardly from said plate away from the jack. 